Planning a trip to the mountains this summer? If you are heading out with the family for some fun, mountain biking could be a great opportunity to try something new and hit the trails together. It’s a sport that offers a wide range of skill levels depending on the trail you choose, and there is always the option to rent a mountain bike.
How much is it to rent a mountain bike? Rental costs for mountain bikes are typically much more reasonable than purchasing your own but can range in pricing depending on the style and year of bike that you’re renting. Similar to renting a car, renting a mountain bike can be a very customized experience.
If mountain biking isn’t something you do often, it may just make more sense to rent one instead. That way you can save a bit of cash, and you don’t have to stow a bike away in your garage the rest of the year. Usually, rental prices are fairly reasonable and include all the required safety gear as well.
When you head into the rental shop, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. The employees there are almost always fellow avid mountain bikers. They will be able to guide you in the right direction when picking out which bike is best for you to rent. Below are just a few things to keep in mind for your rental experience.
How Much Is It To Rent a Mountain Bike?
As it is with any other sport, mountain biking requires you to have the right equipment before you hit the trails. If you are planning on going the rental route, you’ll definitely want to check out costs for rentals before deciding on a company to rent from.
In most cases, you will find that rental costs include the following items:
- Mountain bike
- Protective gear and helmet
- Liability coverage in case of damage to the bike
Some rental companies structure their packages in different ways, but they usually all include similar offerings.
On average, you’ll see single day rentals with all protective gear included run between $100 and $150 total. This can swing slightly below or above depending on your destination and selected brand for your rental.
It might seem like a lot for one day, but it sure beats buying a mountain bike outright. Many of the nicer brands are in the thousands with respect to price points, and that may not even include the rest of the gear that you’ll need to fully enjoy your bike.
In that comparison, a couple of hundred dollars doesn’t seem to bad anymore, right?
If the mountain trails are calling your name, it could be time to plan a road trip and try out some new routes.
Depending on where you plan to venture this summer, there are sure to be several options in any big city for you to rent a ride for the weekend. You might want to check out some of the top recommended places to rent a mountain bike.
The Best Places To Rent a Mountain Bike:
- Utah
- Colorado
- Vermont
- Oregon
Utah is home to tons of great trails, but a couple of the biggest mountain biking cities are definitely Moab and Park City. Moab is a great place for family riding as the red rock landscape offers trails a beautiful backdrop to your adventures.
It offers trails for any skill level and is one of the top destination spots in the country for the sport.
Park City, Utah is also very popular for mountain biking. It is rated a Gold-Level Ride Center by the International Mountain Bicycling Association, and for good reason. Lost Prospector and Flying Dog are just a couple of the epic trails you can explore in the area.
Colorado is home to some pretty extreme winter and summer sports. The Rocky Mountains are home to several ski resorts that turn into mountain biking meccas in the summer months. You will find hundreds of miles of trails throughout the state for any skill level
A few of the favorite spots in the state are Crested Butte, Durango, Aspen, and Breckenridge. Riding down these mountains provide an exhilarating kick to your trail run with inclines that range from rolling hills to steep rock drops.
Make sure to check out the trail ratings before you head out on these trails so you are prepared for what you’ll run into on the mountain.
Clear across the country on the East Coast, you can find other excellent spots to ride. East Burke, Vermont is home to several picturesque trails. Kingdom Trails is located in East Burke, and they can help tailor a trail excursion specifically for you and your skill level.
There are probably hundreds of other noteworthy trails for mountain biking across the country, but this gives you a bit of a starting point for planning where your next adventure may lead you.
Anywhere you go, you will most likely be able to find a pro shop or two near the base of the trailheads or in town.
Questions To Ask Before Renting a Mountain Bike
Anytime you are spending your hard earned money, you want to make sure it’s being spent wisely. If you’re thinking about renting a mountain bike for some summer trail adventures, you might want to do a little homework before handing over your credit card.
It can’t hurt to do a little research of your own before you head out to rent a mountain bike, which can easily be done online at home.
Once you narrow down where you’re going, you can look up any available rental shops near the area. Read some reviews on them in advance, and try to avoid those that have gotten less than desirable feedback on their services.
When you head in to pick out your rental, don’t be shy with asking questions. The staff there should be more than willing to walk you through the rental process from start to finish.
Here are just a few main questions you will want to ask before you make a final decision on which mountain bike is best for you.
Questions To Ask Before Renting a Mountain Bike:
- What kind of bike should I get?
- What kind of mountain bike am I renting?
- What is the rental company’s policy on damages?
- What kind of bike would you recommend for my skill level?
Before you pull the trigger on a mountain bike rental, try and explore your options a bit. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the different kinds of bikes available. Your skill level and body measurements will determine what style and size bike is best for you.
The staff in any rental shop can walk you through the different styles of mountain bikes they have available. By sharing your experience level with them, they should be able to steer you towards the best options for you to rent.
When exploring your rental options, be sure to ask about the brand and year of the mountain bike you’re renting. Most pro shops at larger resorts will carry newer equipment, and rotate out new models on an annual basis. If the available bikes are older than a year or two, you may want to check out a different rental shop.
Some rental shops also bring in new demo bikes for people to try out on the trails. If you are a more experienced rider, ask the staff about any available mountain bikes to demo. It’s a great way to try out a brand new mountain bike without forking over a few thousand dollars to buy it.
Another important thing to ask about is the company’s policy on damages. Be sure to get coverage on your rental so that you are protected against paying for any damages to the mountain bike from your trail runs.
The last thing you want to do after a great day on the mountain is to spend a boatload of cash to replace parts on a bike that’s not yours.
In addition to details on the company’s policy on damages, be sure to ask about any hidden fees, non-refundable deposits or other added costs with the rental. Some places may try and layer on extra charges, so be cautious of this and ask questions up front about what your rental fees include.
You also want to ask the staff at the rental store what type of mountain bike they would recommend for your experience. Tell them if you are a first-time rider or a confident trailblazer. This may slightly change the style of bike they pick out for you.
The crews that work in places like this are also usually avid mountain bike riders too, so it’s a safe bet to go with their recommendation. They will make sure you’re on a bike that fits both your size and skill level.
After all, it’s their job to make sure you have the best experience possible with their equipment – it bodes well for reviews and repeat customers.
Renting Versus Using Your Own Mountain Bike: Pros and Cons
Now for the big dilemma – do you stick to renting a mountain bike or buy your own? It’s a big investment and commitment to buy your own, but if you are planning to stick with the sport it at least merits some consideration.
If you are still on the fence on whether you want to rent a mountain bike or purchase your own, you might want to take an inventory of the pros and cons of renting versus bringing your own bike and gear.
This will help you narrow down the best route of action for your specific situation and trip you have planned.
As with anything else, there are pros and cons to renting a mountain bike instead of buying your own. The important part is weighing out those options to see what is best for you personally.
If you are brand new to the sport, these are a few points to consider before you head to the pro shop.
Pros of Renting a Mountain Bike:
- Saves money if you are not a frequent rider
- Allows you to “test out” different mountain bikes before buying one
- Includes necessary safety gear with rental cost
If you are someone who has never been mountain biking before, or maybe you just go once or twice a year, it probably makes more sense to just rent a bike each time when you go.
Mountain bikes can be quite expensive, so if you don’t use it very much it ends up being an overpriced garage ornament.
Of course, you want to do your homework and make sure that you shop around a little. Some mountain bike rental costs may vary depending on where you rent. You may also find that some stores have a bigger variety of options when it comes to styles and sizes.
Another benefit of renting is that you can test out all different styles or brands of mountain bikes.
This can be tremendously helpful if you are looking to buy in the future. Maybe you rent a different style each day you hit the trails just to see what features you like in the different bikes.
By trying out a few, you can rule out what you don’t like and find something you’re really comfortable on when you hit the trails. You can also try some of the newer models from top brands.
If you own your own, you’re kind of stuck with the same wheels for several years. Sometimes it’s fun to switch things up a little, and renting allows you to do just that.
When you rent a mountain bike, you usually are hooked up with all of the required safety gear as well.
No reputable rental place will send you off without it. This could end up saving you a few hundred dollars between helmet, pads and protective wear. Like the mountain bikes themselves, safety equipment is switched out often by the rental companies.
Another plus to renting a mountain bike is that you eliminate the need to travel with it. Bikes aren’t exactly small, so flying with one could incur additional special luggage charges.
If you are traveling by car, you would need a bike rack to haul your own mountain bike. This is yet another associated cost that would need to be covered if you brought your own.
For every upside, there is typically an opposite end of that. It would be wise to also review the downfalls of renting a mountain bike before you make a decision one way or the other.
Cons of Renting a Mountain Bike:
- Can be pricey if you are planning an extended trip
- May be held liable for damages in the event of an accident
- Puts you on the trails with an unfamiliar ride
Depending on how you look at things, rental costs can either be a blessing or a curse. If you plan to just rent for a couple of days, it makes sense, but if you are looking at renting for an extended period of time for a longer trip you may end up paying close to the cost of your own mountain bike.
Take your time and calculate how much you are looking at in total rental costs. You may be able to find a used mountain bike to purchase that could be less than an extended rental. This will ultimately come down to the specific needs of your trip. Find what fits your plans best, and go from there.
Let’s be honest, as riders, we never actually intend to crash – but it happens. Most rental places will hold a deposit on your mountain bike in case something is damaged on the trails.
If you read the fine print in most rental contracts, they lock you into a hefty fee in the event the mountain bike is damaged.
If you end up in this predicament, you may have just forced yourself to pay for a bike that you can’t keep. At least with your own mountain bike, you can look at paying for repairs or replaced parts. Make sure you scan your rental agreement for details like this and know what you’re committing to before you sign anything.
One last thing to note about renting is that you will be jumping on a bike that you most likely have never ridden before.
As opposed to having the comfort and familiarity of your own mountain bike, renting can leave you feeling like you’re just getting acquainted with your equipment all day.
This won’t matter as much to brand new riders, but an experienced biker might feel the difference and struggle at first.
Though it seems like a ton of details just to rent a mountain bike for a day, the process is really quite seamless when you get to the rental shop. Knowing where you want to ride and the right questions to ask staff will help set you up for success when you’re ready to rent your mountain bike this summer.
Remember to have fun, stay safe and enjoy the trails – wherever your adventures may take you! Exploring new destinations can be a great way to spend your summer weekends, and renting a mountain bike for the ride can be an easy and flexible process to keep you stress-free all summer long.